Career and Education Opportunities for Soil Conservation Technicians in Newark, New Jersey

There are many career and education opportunities for soil conservation technicians in the Newark, New Jersey area. The national trend for soil conservation technicians sees this job pool growing by about 11.9% over the next eight years. In general, soil conservation technicians plan and develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation, and sound land use.

The income of a soil conservation technician is about $34 per hour or $71,930 annually on average in New Jersey. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $28 hourly or $58,720 per year on average. Incomes for soil conservation technicians are not quite as good as in the overall category of Life Sciences in New Jersey, and not quite as good as the overall Life Sciences category nationally. Jobs in this field include: department of natural resources officer , aquatic ecologist, and watershed program manager.

The Newark area is home to 318 schools of higher education, including four within twenty-five miles of Newark where you can get a degree as a soil conservation technician. Soil conservation technicians usually hold a Bachelor's degree, so it will take about four years to learn to be a soil conservation technician if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Soil Conservation Technician

In general, soil conservation technicians plan and develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation, and sound land use.

Soil conservation technicians apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy or agriculture, to attain conservation objectives. They also compute layout requirements for implementation of conservation practices, using survey and field data technical guides and calculators. Equally important, soil conservation technicians have to furnish data and training to government agencies at all levels to solve water and soil management problems and to assure coordination of resource protection efforts. They are often called upon to design or participate in surveys and investigations of various land uses, gathering data for use in developing corrective action plans. They are expected to advise land users, such as farmers and ranchers, on conservation plans, problems and alternative solutions, and furnish technical and planning assistance. Finally, soil conservation technicians compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, on the basis of needs of land users and life expectancy of practices.

Every day, soil conservation technicians are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to read and understand documents and reports. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

It is important for soil conservation technicians to participate on work teams to develop and implement water and land management programs and policies. They are often called upon to direct and implement technical, financial, and administrative assistance programs for local government units to insure efficient program implementation and timely responses to requests for assistance. They also initiate and conduct annual audits and compliance checks of program implementation by local government. They are sometimes expected to respond to complaints and questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing data and clarification. Somewhat less frequently, soil conservation technicians are also expected to inspect and approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans and conservation district plans.

They also have to be able to inspect grant applications and make funding recommendations and furnish access to programs and training to help in completion of government groundwater protection plans. And finally, they sometimes have to design and maintain working relationships with local government staff and board members.

Like many other jobs, soil conservation technicians must be reliable and believe in cooperation and coordination.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Newark include:

Biological Sciences Technician. Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Biologist. Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, and functions.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist. Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, and other sources.

Epidemiologist. Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.

Food Technologist. Use chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, and distribute food.

Forester. Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.

Medical Scientist. Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation or other research, production, or related activities.

Microbiologist. Investigate the growth, structure, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

Natural Resource Manager. Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Park Ranger. Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

Scientist. Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

Soil Scientist. Conduct research in breeding, physiology, and management of crops and agricultural plants, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Zoologist. Study the origins, behavior, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management, including the collection and analysis of biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water areas.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Soil Conservation Technician Training

CUNY Bronx Community College - Bronx, NY

CUNY Bronx Community College, W 181 St & University Ave, Bronx, NY 10453. CUNY Bronx Community College is a medium sized college located in Bronx, New York. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 9,348 students. CUNY Bronx Community College has a one to two year program in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management which graduated two students in 2008.

SUNY at Purchase College - Purchase, NY

SUNY at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577-1400. SUNY at Purchase College is a small college located in Purchase, New York. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 4,155 students and an admission rate of 24%. SUNY at Purchase College has a bachelor's degree program in Natural Resources/Conservation which graduated four students in 2008.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick - New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University-New Brunswick, 83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a large university located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 36,041 students and an admission rate of 56%. Rutgers University-New Brunswick has a bachelor's degree program in Natural Resources Management and Policy which graduated twenty-nine students in 2008.

Montclair State University - Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue - 855 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07043-1624. Montclair State University is a large university located in Montclair, New Jersey. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 17,475 students and an admission rate of 52%. Montclair State University has a postbaccalaureate certificate and a doctor's degree program in Natural Resources Management and Policy which graduated two and two students respectively in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Accredited Agricultural Consultant:
The Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC) designation was developed and first offered by the ASFMRA in 1997.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey photo by Gik%C3%BC

Newark is located in Essex County, New Jersey. It has a population of over 278,980, which has grown by 2.0% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Newark, 140, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Newark are priced at $83,500 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, ninety-nine new homes were built in Newark, up from twenty-nine the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Newark are health care, educational services, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, administrative and support and waste management services, and accommodation and food services. The average commute to work is about 32 minutes. More than 9.0% of Newark residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 3.0%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Newark is 14.8%, which is greater than New Jersey's average of 9.3%.

The percentage of Newark residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 57.0%, is more than the national average but less than the state average. First Mount Zion Baptist Church, First Newborn Tabernacle Church and First Presbyterian Church are among the churches located in Newark. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Muslim Estimate and the American Baptist Churches in the USA.

Newark is home to the Clinton Branch Newark Public Library and the Brills Yard as well as Rippel Field and River Bank Park. Visitors to Newark can choose from Fairfield Inn and Suites, Days Hotel Newark Airport and Broad Street Hotel LLC for temporary stays in the area.